WFMW~ Organizing baby hair stuff

Our granddaughter, Sweet Pea, is a rambunctious 16 months old.  She does not enjoy getting her hair done but looks so cute with bows and pigtails.

Organizing all the hair bows and bands can be a challenge so I thought I would share what works for me and her mama.

I found this idea on Pinterest and thought it was genius.  Simply a toilet paper tube and you can carry the bows and hair bands with you wherever you happen to be doing your childs hair.  Love it!

Then, we have a basket for all her headbands and hair creme.  The bow holder fits nicely in there when not being used in another room.

Then we have a cute little jar that a friend made that holds all her teeny tiny barettes (sorry, the picture is fuzzy)

I love cute storage solutions!  And, I intend to buy her many more adorable hair products so we may even need to come up with new storage solutions in the future.

Any suggestions?

Local women take pro-life message to Congress

Last week two of West Virginia’s pro-life defenders took their message of adoption and life to Washington, D.C. Carolyn Willis, Executive Director of the Care Pregnancy Center of the Eastern Panhandle, and Kelly McKown-Smallwood, a volunteer at the center were part of the 8^th annual “Babies Go to Congress” campaign.

The Care Pregnancy Center of the Eastern Panhandle (CPCEP) is a well-respected organization in Berkeley County, WV where they have seen their client list grow significantly over the past several years. Willis has developed the volunteer core and community presence of the CPCEP through networking with churches and businesses alike.

“Babies Go to Congress” is a campaign sponsored by Heartbeat International, a nationwide chain of pro-life care pregnancy centers. The goal of this event is to let Congress know that abortion is not the final option and that there is plenty of help available to women seeking alternative options.

Take a look at the video below featuring both Carolyn Willis and Kelly McKown-Smallwood during their trip to Congress where they met Speaker of the House John Boehner and other members of Congress. (The complete article and video can also be seen by clicking this link)

Pro-Life Women Take ‘Babies to Congress’

When Kelly McKown-Smallwood was 14, she became pregnant.

Scared and overwhelmed, she felt pressured by her boyfriend and his family to have an abortion. But she says her Christian conviction ruled that out.

“Deep down I valued life even at the moment and I knew my life would never be the same,” McKown-Smallwood said. “I thank God I didn’t make that choice [to have an abortion].”

Today, McKown-Smallwood is married and works as a dental surgeon.

Now, with her two children, along with a team of other moms and crisis pregnancy center workers, she’s taking the pro-life message to Washington.

The group, known as Heartbeat International, said they want to let lawmakers know that “abortion is not the final option.”

“Some clients, all they want is to look for an abortion. Most choose parenting,” said Carolyn Willis of the Care Pregnancy Center.

Heartbeat International made its eighth visit to Capitol Hill Thursday.

Since the group started its “Babies Go to Congress” campaign, they’ve met with dozens of lawmakers.

Participants say they’re excited about the pro-life bills that have been introduced in Washington since Republicans regained control of the house. But their excitement is tempered.

“We just really are frustrated that these great pieces of legislation are making it out of the House, but the Senate stops them,” Heartbeat International member Virginia Cline explained.

McKown-Smallwood volunteers at a crisis pregnancy in her hometown, where young women get free services in counseling or free supplies for their babies, like formula and furniture.

She said motherhood at a young age was tough, but she made the right choice.

Her goal isn’t to only let members of Congress know there are options, but to let other women who find themselves in similar situations know they have options.

“It is doable. It is absolutely doable,” McKown-Smallwood said. “Care pregnancy centers, we’re there to fulfill whatever needs they have in their lives or to be their friend.”

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

KinderPraise ~ fun for moms and kids

KinderPraise is a fun activity for moms and kids alike happening right here in the Eastern Panhandle!  I recently interviewed Pam Lehr, the founder and owner of KinderPraise.  Her responses are below, my questions in bold.

Tell us a little bit about Pam {the mom behind the KinderPraise concept}:

I have been a musician for as long as I can remember.  I love this wonderful gift God gave us and am discovering more musical blessings all the time.  I studied Music Education in college, majoring in the oboe.  In college I fell in love with a crazy wonderful guy and married him.  We have since had 3 beautiful children who never let life get dull.  One of my greatest joys has been sharing my love of music with my children. 

What led you to start KinderPraise?

Early in my teaching career, I began to look for ways to continue teaching music and be able to be a stay-at-home mom.  God lead me into early childhood (EC) music education and I received my training through Kindermusik® and Musikgarten®.  After the birth of my daughter, I began teaching EC music classes through my own small business and the Jefferson County Parks and Rec.  While I was teaching these classes, God showed me the verse Psalm 8:2 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise” (NIV).  About this time I also discovered a curriculum for EC music that was faith-based.  However, I had to wait a while until my husband and I were in a financial position not to need the income from the classes I taught.  I knew if I did these classes as a ministry and service to the community, I would not want to charge tuition for them.  A short time later, my husband’s income increased and KinderPraise was born.

What could a mom and child expect from a KinderPraise class?

There is a lot of emphasis on bonding in our classes.  The lessons are structured in such a way that most children are delighted with the activities and so the bonding is joyful and natural.  It’s a place where you can focus on your child as they are joyfully engaged in the activities in the class.  Activities vary depending on age, but typical activities include bouncing, rocking, and movement songs, and play with scarves, hoops, drums, jingle bells, rhythm sticks and shakers.  Children will also be exposed to age appropriate melody instruments and develop focused listening skills.  Children are also encouraged to respond vocally and musically throughout the class.  Along with the musical activities, there is also an introduction to prayer and the Bible (in the Preschool and Elementary).

What is the cost?

There is no cost for tuition for KinderPraise classes.  The materials cost is around $30 a semester depending on the class you sign up for.  The KinderPraise Academy class is more expensive because students are receiving and using a tone quality EC glockenspiel (think xylophone) for the class.  The good news, though,  is that we have for the most part used the same materials since KinderPraise started in 2002.  So, if you already have the materials, or can borrow them from a friend, the class is free!  We also provide materials for families that cannot afford to pay for them, and we also offer the option of paying for the materials in installments throughout the semester.  Siblings in the same class can share materials.

Where are the classes?

We currently hold classes at First Baptist Church in Martinsburg, WV and at Covenant Church in Shepherdstown, WV.  We are always looking for new teachers and new locations, though.  Currently, KinderPraise is also pursuing non-profit status.  Once this happens, I think we will be able to find new ways to expand and make this available at more locations.  I have to also say that I have been blessed over the years to train and teach with some amazingly gifted teachers.  They really are my breath of fresh air that keeps me going.  I love my KinderPraise team!

Who should we contact if interested in signing up {include deadlines, etc}?

You can call me at (304)263-9083, email at pamlehr@frontier.com or log onto our website at www.kinderpraise.com.  All of the current information is on the website and you can also register for classes on our website.  Classes start the week of 9/12/2011 and our registration deadline is 9/1/2011.  After the deadline, you can still register, but there will be an additional $3 charge for materials due to extra shipping cost.

Want a chance to win an iPad 2?

For the last almost two years, I have worked as a mentor, volunteer leader and committee chair for an organization called YoungLives.  YoungLives is a mentoring program for teen moms {I became pregnant with my first child when I was 16} that offers support, unconditional love and guidance.  One of the highlights of the program is YoungLives camp, a week-long summer camp for teen moms and their babies.  Last year, we took 8 girls and 7 babies to Glen Spey, New York where one mom said she had “the best week of my life”. Who wouldn’t with zip lines, swimming, dancing and hanging out with other girls just like you?

In just a year our ministry has grown exponentially and this coming Sunday, August 7th, more than 25 moms and 23 babies will board a charter bus and go to summer camp!!! Hopefully, they will have the best week of their lives, as well!

Teen moms typically do not have money for extra things like summer camp so we raise all the funds for their trip through fundraising.  This year the cost to take these girls to camp exceeds $20,000!

I decided to help raise money for the camp fund by sponsoring an iPad giveaway through Eastern Panhandle Moms.

If you would like to contribute to a great cause and have a chance at winning an Apple iPad 2, follow the instructions below.

Official online giveaway rules:

- one entry per $10/donation {or three entries for $20 donation}

- winner will be announced on October 27th on our Facebook page.

- donations of $10 made between 12:00 AM on August 1, 2011 and 11:59 PM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 get one entry to win an iPad2.  donations of $20 made between 12:00 AM on August 1, 2011 and 11:59pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 get three entries to win an iPad2.

-winner must accept shipping to US or Canadian address.

To enter:

Leave a comment with your email address and a paypal invoice will be sent.  Tickets will be mailed upon receipt of donation.

OR

Email me at here2therewv@yahoo.com and give me your physical mailing address and the amount of entries you want.  I will mail you the tickets with a self addressed stamped envelope to return the donation in.

Details:

Checks can be made payable to Eastern Panhandle Moms.

Feel free to share this great cause with friends and family via Facebook and Twitter.

All proceeds from the giveaway will be donated to YoungLives of the Eastern Panhandle.

New Child Seat Guidelines released

New guidelines for car seats and child passenger safety have been released by the NHTSA.

Click on the link to be taken to the website to review the new guidelines!

February is Dental Health Month

According to the American Dental Association, growing a healthy smile starts from birth.

If you have an infant in the house {like our 5 month old Sweet Pea}, you can wipe the gums with a clean, dry gauze pad or baby washcloth after each feeding.  As their first teeth appear, you can use an infant toothbrush and water.

As your kids get older, make sure they see the dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups.

Flossing is important for removing plaque from between teeth and can help to prevent cavities.

With teens in the house as well, I am trying out the new Reach by Design toothbrushes on my boys {ages 14 and 13} for the next two weeks.  We are also trying out the Reach Total Care Whitening Floss, made with with MICRO-GROOVES technology.  Shred resistant floss is important when teens are using it.

What do you do to keep your families smiles healthy?

*I was provided the Reach products for review at no cost to me.  I was not compensated for mentioning them in my article. *

Another reason to not watch MTV

By now I hope you don’t need a reason to avoid watching MTV. Forget music videos – which have become more sexually gratuitous in recent years – and just take inventory of the reality shows and other “entertainment” aired on the station. But now MTV has crossed a line that I’m not sure anyone thought the purveyor of all things unmoral would dare cross.

Recently MTV aired a show titled “No Easy Decision” depicting the struggle a young couple has in deciding whether to keep their unborn child or have an abortion. Lifenews.com followed the story and reported on the airing of the show and the reaction afterwards.

“The teen mom goes to her best friend for advice and decides to call the abortion facility to ask a few questions.  We have a hard time believing this call was not pre-staged and the questions set up by the show.  First she asked about what kind of abortions were available and the phone operator for the abortion facility of course used the typical rhetoric like “pregnancy tissue expelled’ and “pregnancy removed”.  When she asked the clinic worker about what would happen to her she was told she might feel relieved or sad, but more towards relief.”

After reading several articles on the show I could find no mention of counsel given by the parents of either of the mom or dad of the unborn child. I can’t help but wonder where the parents were in all of this. This helps to underscore the absolute necessity for parents to talk about these tough issues with their kids. Not just when they are young and not when they are older, but starting when they are young and continuing into their adulthood.

After the show aired one youth pro-life leader commented:

“To be honest it felt like this was almost scripted as the perfect pro-abortion propaganda film.  The couple was young, poor, and volatile; and they also already had one baby.  They talked about God and the father had a Jesus tattoo on one shoulder and was wearing a necklace that looked like a rosary…I don’t think they could have cast a better couple for this show to make the audience sympathize with their decision to kill their child.”

Another observation is that though they “talked about God and the father had a Jesus tattoo…” I could find no mention of going to a pastor for guidance. If religion was so important and an integral part of this young couple’s lives, why would they not seek the counsel of their pastor? Do they even have a pastor? This might be a side note, but, talking about God and having a Jesus tattoo does not make a person a Christian. Being a Christian is about a life surrendered to Christ so that every decision we make lines up with Scripture. Jesus once told a crowd a people that “it would be better to tie a boulder around your neck and jump into the sea than to hurt a child.” (Matt 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2). (Incidentally, Jesus’ mom was a single teenage girl who could have been stoned for getting pregnant outside marriage, yet she chose to have her baby…thank God!)

After the show aired Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America commented, “We just witnessed the planned, televised murder of an innocent human person.  It was a blatant assault on the youth of America in an attempt to push them towards abortion.”

She’s right. Pro-abortion advocates are watching in horror as each year more people claim to be pro- life. And among the youth of America the pro-life movement is gaining more ground. So it would seem that the only thing left for pro-abortion advocates to do is lie to the youth of America while trying to normalize abortion. But as more Planned Parenthood branches close each year to lack of business I believe we are seeing the beginning of a change in America. And if we continue to fight for the rights of the unborn we will see fewer abortions and more children saved.

Oh, one more thing. Lifenews.com captured responses from pro-life leaders after the show aired; you can read them by clicking here. And don’t forget to read about the 30 studies over the last five years that shows abortion hurts women’s mental health.

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

*** Editor’s Note:  I work with teen moms in our local area and my heart bled when I watched this show.  Markai (the mom portrayed) obviously felt like she didn’t have any other options, which is exactly why our program exists.  We support teen moms with no judgment, just grace, love and mentoring by a strong Christian woman.  For more information about our program, please visit our website or call (304) 919-1681.

What you really need to know about Planned Parenthood

It’s unfortunate that well-meaning people end up supporting a group like Planned Parenthood inadvertently. Perhaps through a donation to the United Way, or by not knowing exactly what is in their health insurance plan? I have run into more than one person that was surprised to know that some benign action was helping support the world’s largest abortion merchant. So I wanted to make my reasons for detesting this organization clear by posting links to several articles commenting on recent actions by and against PP.

Each article is another reminder of why I despise everything this organization stands for and seeks to accomplish. This is not a “family planning” organization, this is an abortion business. This is a money-making, propaganda machine with a bottom line of destroying the soul of girls and women while simultaneously breaking every law and covering up every crime they can.

When I get tired of fighting this group I read articles like these and rekindle the fire of life that desires to see them defunded, discredited, and shut down. There is nothing honorable, respectable, or otherwise praiseworthy about this group. They are, without a doubt, one of the most reprehensible organizations in existence. But don’t take my word for it. Read. See if you don’t come to the same conclusion after reading this very small sampling of the hundreds of articles I have read about Planned Parenthood.

After you’re done reading these articles, send them to someone that needs to know more about this awful group and let’s rally the troops in the fight to protect innocent human life.

Planned Parenthood Chapter Quits, Forced by National to Do Abortions – One PP chapter disassociates itself with the group after learning that the national headquarters will now force all affiliates to perform abortions.

Planned Parenthood Uses Sexual Assault Exams to Boost Abortion Business – PP will use any and all means to gain access to customers for abortions. Here is an example of that fact.

Planned Parenthood Should Lose Funding Over Exploiting Teen for Abortion – One chapter in Ohio was found to have knowingly broken several state and federal laws when they covered up the rape of an underage girl and then performed an abortion on her without her parent’s knowledge.

Pro-Life House Must Focus on Stopping Abortion Funding – Tax payer dollars should never be used to fund abortion for any reason. Period.

Planned Parenthood Report Reveals Agenda (Audio Clip) – Why is PP covering up their abortion and adoption statistics in their annual report?

How Does a Planned Parenthood Gift Card Say Merry Christmas? – Really? A gift card of “life” that includes abortion services. I can’t think of anything tackier or morally reprehensible.

Ex-Planned Parenthood Director’s New Book Exposes Abortion Biz – Shocking evidence revealed by former PP director on what this organization is secretly trying to accomplish.

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

Something no one should know how to do

It is one thing to perform abortions at 8 or 12 weeks when there is a possibility that the unborn child feels nothing. Now, before my pro-life associates snarl and prepare a snappy rebuttal, let me clearly state that I am pro-life and don’t believe in abortion at any stage of development. However, I am trying to give some context to a recent report I read.

So, as I was saying, it is one thing to do something so despicable as to kill an unborn child at 8 or 12 weeks when there is a slight chance the child cannot yet feel (and by slight I do mean slight. As more studies on human development occur I believe we will see greater evidence for fetal pain at very early stages of development.)

But, to be so despicable and cruel as to perform abortions at 24 weeks when there is absolutely no doubt that the unborn child is capable of feeling pain is another thing altogether. And a report released in 2008 by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute reveals that at least 8% of the estimated 1,787 abortion doctors in the United States perform abortions on 24 week old children. (Click here to read more about this report from Lifenews.com).

While we typically think of people such as LeRoyCarhart (who happens to be moving across the border to Maryland to perform his torturous acts on children) and Warren Hern when we think of late-term abortions. And while the liberal media tries to tell us that these elderly men are a “dying breed” in the United States, the report from The Guttmacher Institute says otherwise. According to their findings 8% or 140 doctors are actively performing late-term abortions.

In case you’re still wondering if a 24 week old child can feel pain, read this:

“Since 2007, medical research, triggered by the identification of consciousness in children lacking a cortex from birth, has indicated that nerve connection to the cortex is not essential to experience pain. In fact, informed specialists have concluded that the subcortical plate, to which nerves from the pain receptors are linking at 20 weeks postfertilization, fulfills that function…Scientific studies dating back to 1987 confirm the existence of fetal pain at 20 weeks postfertilization (22 weeks LMP).”

But Mary Balch and the National Right to Light Committee believes they have a way to make sure Carhart, Hern and the others never torture another child. Its legislation similar to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act similar to what was enacted in Nebraska back in October of this year; the same legislation that drove Carhart out of Nebraska and into Maryland. Balch says,

“With pro-life electoral gains on November 2, the spring legislative sessions gives us a tremendous opportunity to enact a variety of protective pro-life laws in many states and put an end to abortions after the unborn child is capable of feeling pain. Our number one priority at the state level is protecting mothers and their unborn children from the abortion industry and we have pro-life legislative majorities across the country to help make that happen.”

I wonder how West Virginia will step up to help protect the unborn across our state. Many of our elected officials claim to be pro-life, but what are they willing to do to prove that claim? Maybe we as citizens should let them know that we want legislation similar to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act enacted right here in West Virginia. Certainly any truly pro-life person would want to see such strong protection against the torture of innocent children take place, right?

West Virginia has always had a strong pro-life record. But increasing pressures from state and federal groups could threaten that record and, more importantly, the unborn children in our state. Let’s be sure all of our state officials know where we stand on the issue of life. You wouldn’t want someone torturing you to death, let’s make sure no one tortures an unborn child to death either.

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

You have to read this!

In a society where a few liberal minorities seek to normalize abortion and Planned Parenthood seeks to profit from the murder of innocent children, few want to talk about the lasting side effects. Everything from breast cancer and mental health links are covered up in the mainstream media. Silence does seem to be golden.

But one woman is bucking the trend and sharing her very personal, heart wrenching story.

Kelly Clinger is a performer and former backup singer for Britney Spears. She has also had two abortions. Now she is sharing her story to make sure everyone knows that this is a big deal; in fact, it’s life changing. LifeSiteNews.com recently posted an article written by Clinger. Part of it reads as follows:

“It’s an uncomfortable subject … because if I call it a baby, if I admit that it was a boy or a girl who had 10 fingers and 10 toes and a life that was already mapped out by God, then I am calling myself a killer.  If I talk about it, blog about it, pray about it, then that makes it real. But just when I think I’ve pushed the memories far enough behind that they won’t catch up with me, there they are again. The self-hatred is paralyzing.  It lurks closely and tells me that I don’t deserve happiness.  The guilt is suffocating.  It has affected every relationship I have.  I can’t trust or attempt intimacy. I would take a bullet for my out-of-the-womb children.  Why didn’t I protect the ones inside? I have given up hope that the past could have been different.  I cannot change what I did.  Every bible study, counseling session, and prayer seems to just be a band-aid over a wound that will never heal. So, I will be a voice for my children who only know heaven.  I will be a voice for the millions of women who live in regret, guilt, self-hatred and fear of being “found out”.  I will be painfully honest about every feeling I have, and I will stand up for life even when it’s unpopular and politically incorrect.  So, please spare me your pro-life/pro-choice arguments.  I know what I saw.  I know how I feel.  I will never be the same.  I will never get over it. And if I don’t take this pain and make it my purpose, I think it might kill me.” (Read the entire account here)

These have to be some of the most powerful words I have ever read about abortion. The gut-wrenching honesty and brutal truth are almost overpowering. And yet, it is truth. Anyone that tries to sell a bill of goods that abortion is no big deal, a simple procedure, removing a blob of tissue is in such deep denial. The violence perpetrated on the children of abortion is very real; and the violence against women is just as real. Ripping motherhood from a woman’s womb is not something you walk away from without scars.

Those within the pro-abortion movement, such as Planned Parenthood, don’t want to hear such accounts. They aren’t interested in stories of regret, guilt, and shame. They only care about the money they make killing children.  We could argue for hours over pro-life or pro-abortion arguments. We could go in circles about the issue. But the truth is that more women are “coming out” to share stories very similar to this one. More women are letting the public know of the horrid conditions and procedures of abortion clinics. More women are refusing to stay silent regardless of the consequences or stigma.

You can talk all you want about women’s rights, choice, or any of the other faux reasons given for abortion. But when it comes right down to it, when it gets really real, it’s the choice of whether or not to end a life. By now ignorance is no longer an excuse, we all know it is a baby living and growing inside.

As I perused Kelly’s website where she shared her entire story I saw many comments by grateful women thanking her for her courage in sharing her past experience. I found it interesting that not one single pro-abortion person derided her or rebuked her feelings of guilt and shame. No one told her she did what was best for her. No one said it was “no big deal.”

As Kelly said at the end of her story, “The truth shall set you free.”

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

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